MFIAP Portfolio

Mohammad Ali Salim Awarded the Prestigious MFIAP Title.
In Paris, France, the International Federation of Photographic Art, FIAP, awarded Mohammad Ali Salim the highest distinction, MFIAP (Master of Photography) in April 2013. He is the 2nd recipient of the MFIAP in the United States; the first was awarded in 1984. Mr. Salim is also the only Bangladeshi born MFIAP to date. This award is considered to be a lifetime achievement award. According to FIAP, “MFIAP (Master of Photography FIAP): This is the highest distinction for photographic merit that FIAP grants and does require photography of the very highest standard and equates to a ‘doctorate’ in educational terms.”

“New York City’s Graffiti”
By: Mohammad Ali Salim, MFIAP
In this body of work, I chose to examine the interactions of people with public graffiti art installations in New York City. I was inspired by the non-permanent nature of graffiti installations. They are always changing. Every few months, the installations are painted over by new artists. I have observed, studied, and photographed one area over the course of a year.
Characteristic of many urban regions, early works of graffiti were seen as a sign of competitive vandalism. Artists would compete to see who can mark harder to reach parts of buildings as a symbol of personal accomplishment. This act of competition has been transformed into a widely recognized art form that is well received by the local community. The graffiti artists reflect the diverse population of New York City. With permission from the local government, artists are allotted wall space on the exterior of public buildings, or entire spaces, to create their works.
The people of New York City have incorporated these non-permanent installations as a part of their daily lives as they chose to either just briefly look, or to linger and take in the artwork while passing by, and then continuing onto their destination and daily routine. Some people even choose to take a short break and pass time in these areas to read, have a cigarette or a cup of coffee, or think about their day. The vivid colors and unique style bring delight to the viewers, creating a sense of community bonding.